Freshened and focused by off week, USD prepares for Drake

USD is 2-2, but 1-0 in the Pioneer Football League and coming off a bye week before its biggest conference game of the season at dreaded Drake in Des Moines, Iowa next Saturday.

It was a week off on USD’s schedule, but Toreros head coach Ron Caragher didn’t treat it that way. His side lost two non-league games to Cal Poly and Harvard. The Toreros beat non-league foe Western New Mexico and PFL opponent Valparaiso to get their first league win. Caragher said the losses to Harvard and Cal Poly uncovered some areas his team needs to improve in if it intends to successfully defend its PFL title. He said the Harvard loss in particular “was a tough pill to swallow” because USD led 20-14 in the fourth quarter.

“Potentially, this may have been our toughest (non-conference) schedule ever,” Caragher said. “Harvard, winners of the Ivy League, and Cal Poly won the Great West last year and then turned around and upset Wyoming, a Mountain West team.

“If we learned good lessons from those two losses, meaning the painful lesson of finishing games, playing four quarters, playing fundamental football and focusing in the moment, then it was well worth it,” Caragher added. “If we learned things that propel us to a better conference record, it was well worth it. If we didn’t, then it’s frustrating and not a good experience.”

Based on USD’s recent seasons and successes, chances are Caragher’s players learned their lessons well.

“The bye week has been a great week for us to regroup and focus,” said senior linebacker Zach Dunaj, who led the Toreros in tackles last year and leads them through four games with 32 stops. “Defensively and offensively, I feel we’re starting to mesh a little more. Last week was a good one for us to get back and focus on the PFL. This week has really been high speed. We’re excited to be playing games in the PFL now. We’re already getting ready for Drake. It’s a huge game for us.”

Injuries to the Toreros offensive line meant that two freshmen, Pono Keni at right tackle and Tobin Gramyk at left guard, had to step up and play. Caragher said that was one plus from the first four games because they found able starters.

One player who emerged as a potential weapon down the stretch is kicker Ernie Collins. He was 5-for-5 on field goals, including a boomer from 51 yards.

“It’s really nice to have that in our hip pocket. When we cross the 50-yard line knowing that we have a kicker we think can make it if we get inside the 40-yard-line.”

Quarterback Mason Mills completed 97 of 147 passes with eight touchdowns and four interceptions. His main target through the first four games was Brandon White, who made 26 catches for 303 yards and three touchdowns. Kenn James overcame an ankle injury and rushed for 176 yards on 27 carries to lead the Toreros in rushing through four games. He is averaging 102.8 all-purpose yards per game.

On defense, in addition to Dunaj leading in tackles, Steve Gargiulo has two sacks and 2 ½ tackles for losses to lead the team in both categories. Weston Yahn has two tackles for losses.